Recent content by BillV

Thanks so much for the comments. And thanks for the link. This site as gotten much larger since I last explored it a few years ago. Sorry for not responding for a few days. I suppose we will use it as is for this season and get on to fixing it in the fall. I need to start collecting pool...

Way past time, can see spots where there is no plaster and poor water control for a couple of years have left bad dark spots on the plaster. Looking for advice on a few different aspects. Price is an object, but we don't need to penny pinch, I want to do it right, get a few more years use and...

OK, I ended the treatment last night. First I pumped out the excess water I had previously added to get it above the white stains on the tile. Then left it on circulate (I had not been circulating at all during the treatment). Added 16 (72oz) boxes of Borax in 3 steps, measuring pH between each...

Well, I did mean baking soda to touch the pH up after adding my borax. On one of the previous no drain acid wash threads there was some discussion where chemgeek said what I understand to be that with a lot of acid in the pool, baking soda would bring the pH up due to CO2 release. That said...

I think I'm going to cut off the acid wash tomorrow. Can't brush much with work, and I'm not sure what effect it is having now. I plan to raise the pH using Borax. I want to add borates anyway, the acid is in there so why not now? My plan is to add about half the borax brush and check ph. Add...

Ok, it's been a little more than 2 days since adding the acid. I brushed every 1.5-2 hrs the first day, only a couple of times the second due to prior commitments. Back on schedule today. The scale on the pool bottom and sides appears to be going away but there is still a long way to go. The...

I'm not really sure if the FC needs to be lowered or not. In this thread http://www.troublefreepool.com/residual-plaster-dust-or-is-it-scale-t38546.html TXFlyGuy noted that "The total alkalinity was brought down to zero, as was the chlorine, and the PH was around 4 or so, perhaps less." So I may...

And a few pics. In this one you can just make out the stains between the darker tree reflections. The water is kind of cloudy from the brushing and lawnmowing activities this morning. The stains are the same ones shown in my previous "Trouble Identifying Stains" thread. Here are the steps...

Well I decided to go ahead and try the No Drain Acid Wash as described by TXFlyGuy. Yesterday's test results. FC 1 Been letting it get low in preparation. CC 1 Starting to see algae. pH 7.5 Been holding it between 7 and 7.5 to try and slowly dissolve the scale. TA...

Dave, Yes, I have read Richard's various comments and a couple of the no drain acid wash threads. I'm pretty sold at this point on trying the no drain acid wash. I would like to get the CH down with some water replacement. Do you think I should do this before or after the acid wash? Seems...

Thanks Dave, for that and all you do here. I have one of your test kits and it really helped me to understand what is going on with the pool. Per my first post the pool is: FC 4 ppm CC 0 ppm pH 7.3 TA 50 ppm CYA 30 ppm CH 875 ppm Borates I've added 2 boxes of borax but then decided to stop...

OK, I went out with a length of PVC pipe and there is clearly a difference between the open areas and the scale. The scale is much rougher. Looks like it is calcium if the acid would not have been too dramatic. I have read the no drain acid wash threads and I may give it a try. But I have a...

Thanks for the assessment. I have not been in the pool since the problem really became extensive so I'm not sure. Would it be so rough that I could tell the difference using a pvc pipe? I'm pretty sure the plaster is kind of old too. Does it typically get a little rough so it is hard to...

Hi all, TFP's been great for my water, but the plaster is not looking so good. I have two different stain types that seem to be growing. One is over a wide area of the pool, and is kind of a light tan. The other is a very dark stain showing up in small spots. Any assistance in suggesting...

Hello again and thanks to all who have helped me here. I kind of dropped out here due to being extremely busy with extended moving activities followed by a family emergency with my father. As for my pool I've got the chemistry straightened out thanks to the help here. Earlier tonight: FC: 4...